Conshohocken, PA—Calling all Haters! Bryce Harper would like a word with you. Homering for the second day in a row to power the Phillies win and clinch the NLDS (3-1) vs reigning World Series Champion Atlanta Braves. The Phillies DH has had an up-and-down injured campaign following his second MVP season. He was only able to play ninety-nine games and had to DH for almost the entire second half. All the time off has helped because he is on fire at just the right time. This torrid pace has powered the Phillies past the favorite defending champion Braves and into the NLCS for the first time since 2010(3-1).

Harper and the bats have started the fire and the Phillies pitching has kept it lit. So far this postseason he is 10-23 with three doubles and three home runs. Their starters have eaten innings, especially Aaron Nola going six shutout innings in game three. The bullpen, not to be outdone, pitched six innings strong innings in game one and game four of the NLDS.

The second to last game of the season feels like an eternity ago. The Phillies were almost no-hit by the Astros as they limped into the playoffs. This poor end of the season mirrored a terrible 22-29 start that got manager Joe Girardi fired in June. With Rob Thompson taking the helm they ended up finishing in the last playoff spot. This gave them a route that dodged(no pun intended), the Dodgers, the Mets, and the Padres three of the better teams this Season. Now having blasted past the Braves they must be considered a serious contender for the NL Pennant. With the Padres up 2-1 vs the Dodgers, things appear to be lining up in the Phillies’ favor yet again. By clinching today, their ace Zach Wheeler will be lined up for game one and game five, and their 1B Aaron Nola lined up to pitch games two and six. This win puts the Phillies in a great position regardless of their NLCS opponents.

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